Question

Saturn has an orbital period of 29.46 years. In two or more sentences, explain how to calculate the average distance from Saturn to the sun and then calculate it.

Answer 1

Answer:

9.54 AU

Explanation:

Kepler's Third law of motion would be used. According to it, the square of orbital period (P) is proportional to the cube of average distance (a).

P² = a³

where, P is in years and a is in AU.

Given P = 29.46 years

Substitute the values as follows:

(29.46)² = a³

$\Rightarrow a= \sqrt[3]{867.9}=9.54 AU$

Thus, the average distance between the Sun and Saturn is 9.54 AU.

Answer 2

Keplers 3rd law tells us that the square of the orbital period of a planet is proportional to the cube of the semi-major axis if the planet.

p^2 = a^3

So if the orbital period is 29.46 years, then:

(29.46)^2 = a^3

867.8916 = a^3

9.54 au = a

So the average distance between Saturn and the Sun is 9.54 au

au = atronomical units. 

idk if i did this right, its been a while